Side by side
Both columns come from the same cost model, so every row is a like for like comparison.
| Measure | German Shepherd | Yorkshire Terrier |
|---|---|---|
| Lifetime cost | $40,121 | $39,474 |
| First year | $6,525 | $6,095 |
| Monthly average | $296 | $247 |
| Puppy price | $1,000 to $3,000 | $1,200 to $3,000 |
| Routine care, yearly | $3,151 | $2,621 |
| Expected health cost | $0 | $1,203 |
| Documented conditions | 14 | 9 |
| Median lifespan | 11.3 yrs | 13.3 yrs |
| Adult weight | 65 to 90 lb | 4 to 7 lb |
| Daily food | 4.3 cups | 0.6 cups |
| Grooming, yearly | $300 | $720 |
| Risk profile | High, mid life | Moderate |
| Biggest single risk | Skin disease | Periodontal disease |
Health risks compared
What tends to go wrong in each breed, how often, and what it costs to treat.
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Elbow dysplasia | 19% | $3,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Periodontal disease | 9% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 7% | $84–$226 |
| Skin (cutaneous) cyst | 5% | not priced |
| Arthritis | 3% | $281–$756 |
| Hypersensitivity (allergic) skin disorder | 3% | $629–$1,694 |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | 3% | $169–$455 |
| Lipoma | 3% | not priced |
| Chronic Itching | 2% | $629–$1,694 |
| Otitis externa | 2% | $100–$270 |
| Umbilical hernia | 2% | $621–$1,671 |
| Patellar luxation | 1% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Gastric dilatation volvulus | n/a | $3,709–$9,986 |
| Hip dysplasia | n/a | $3,500–$7,000 |
| Degenerative myelopathy | n/a | not priced |
| Expected total | $0 | |
| Condition | Rate | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Periodontal disease | 21% | $246–$663 |
| Anal sac impaction | 4% | $84–$226 |
| Overgrown nails | 6% | $36–$98 |
| Skin disease | 36% | $252–$679 |
| Digestive disease | 30% | $354–$954 |
| Patellar luxation | 17% | $1,000–$5,000 |
| Musculoskeletal disease | 15% | $281–$756 |
| Ear infection | 10% | $100–$270 |
| Hip dysplasia | 7% | $1,200–$3,500 |
| Tracheal collapse | n/a | $484–$1,302 |
| Expected total | $1,203 | |
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Both breeds carry surgical risk, and premiums are priced by breed
Expected vet costs are $0 for the German Shepherd and $1,203 for the Yorkshire Terrier. Every policy excludes anything already diagnosed, so this is worth sorting out before you pick either dog.
Placement reserved — insurance-primary
Common questions
Is a German Shepherd or a Yorkshire Terrier more expensive?
The Yorkshire Terrier is cheaper by about $647 over a lifetime. German Shepherd: $40,121. Yorkshire Terrier: $39,474. The gap comes mostly from health costs rather than routine care.
Which lives longer, a German Shepherd or a Yorkshire Terrier?
The Yorkshire Terrier has the longer typical lifespan. German Shepherd: 11.3 years. Yorkshire Terrier: 13.3 years.
Which is healthier, a German Shepherd or a Yorkshire Terrier?
Both figures below are what it costs to own the dog, not what it costs if something goes wrong. The German Shepherd's biggest single risk is skin disease, seen in 36% of the breed. For the Yorkshire Terrier it is periodontal disease, at 21%.
How we calculated this
Both breeds run through one model, so the comparison is like for like. Full method.